omada health launches the omada insights lab to help improve healthcare outcomes
Omada Health Establishes the Omada Insights Lab
Omada Health, a pioneering virtual healthcare company in the United States, has announced the formation of the Omada Insights Lab.
According to Sean Duffy, co-founder and CEO, the Insights Lab represents a novel approach to product development. It utilizes cross-functional teams to swiftly assess the effectiveness of various strategies within a digital care environment and subsequently implement successful tools throughout the organization.
Core Services and Differentiation
Omada provides comprehensive care management programs for conditions including diabetes, musculoskeletal problems, preventative health, hypertension, and behavioral health. A key distinction between Omada and other virtual healthcare providers lies in its emphasis on providing substantial support to patients.
This increased level of support has demonstrably led to improved health outcomes. The Insights Lab is intended to facilitate the sharing of valuable insights, ultimately contributing to better care results across the healthcare sector.
Duffy stated that a strong commitment and connection with an Omada care professional increases the probability of positive outcomes by 250%.
The Role of "Nudges" in Patient Engagement
One technique employed by Omada to maintain patient adherence is the use of “nudges.”
Similar to the prompts from devices like Apple Watches – encouraging users to stand or practice mindful breathing – the Omada application can send reminders to diabetes patients regarding meal times and blood sugar monitoring. However, the company has observed that these passive nudges are less effective than a more holistic and proactive care approach, particularly one that incorporates human interaction.
Consequently, Omada’s physicians have adjusted their care delivery methods.
Insights from the Diabetes Prevention Program
For instance, the Lab investigated methods to assist diabetes prevention program participants in achieving weight loss, as being overweight is a significant risk factor for developing diabetes.
The team analyzed automated nudges, meal tracking reminders, mealtime notifications, and engagement with the care team. While all strategies increased the likelihood of meal tracking – a crucial step in dietary management – only one demonstrably improved weight loss: interaction with the care team.
The findings revealed that patients who engage with their care team or community within the first week of the program are 24% more likely to reach their health objectives. Furthermore, patients who message their care teams are twice as likely to experience positive health outcomes.
Duffy emphasized that the type of engagement is as important as engagement itself.
Based on these insights, Omada reduced its reliance on automated nudges and prioritized methods for enhancing interaction between the care team and patients.
Data Sharing and Future Plans
While Omada already leverages the extensive data – exceeding one billion data points – collected from its 450,000 members over the past decade to refine its own tools, the launch of the Lab signifies a commitment to broader knowledge sharing.
The company intends to disseminate data and strategies with the wider medical community through content published on its website and other platforms.
Being exclusively virtual, Omada highlights the comprehensive nature – and superior quality – of its data collection.
Duffy explained that measuring subtle details is challenging in traditional in-person settings, but digital platforms enable the tracking of virtually everything. He added that all user activity within the application is correlated with significant health outcomes.